Equality and diversity mainstreaming report 2023

Foreword

Jennifer Henderson

Keeper of the Registers of Scotland

I am delighted to introduce our latest report on mainstreaming EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) at Registers of Scotland.

Our commitment to EDI is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or identity and, as a public sector organisation, we have a duty to promote and uphold the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.

We recognise that creating an environment that values diversity and fosters inclusion is not only the right thing to do, but it is also crucial for the wellbeing of our colleagues and the success of our business. At the core of our business are our customers, and we believe that by creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we can better understand and meet the needs of the people we serve, build trust and confidence with the public, and deliver more effective and responsive services.

Mainstreaming EDI is critical in enabling colleagues to make their best contribution at work. When colleagues feel included and valued, they are more likely to bring their whole selves to work and fully engage in their roles. Creating an inclusive environment, where everyone's voices and perspectives are heard, is what underpins our ability to innovate and improve the services we provide. This work is also about breaking down barriers, creating a level playing field for all colleagues to succeed and thrive in their roles. Ultimately, by mainstreaming EDI at RoS, we are creating a more engaged, productive, and motivated workforce, where everyone can make their best contribution.

This report highlights our efforts to embed EDI principles and practices throughout RoS and create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. It showcases the progress we have made over the past two years and highlights the areas where we will focus our efforts over the next two years.

The report reflects the collective efforts of our colleagues, union representatives, managers, and stakeholders, who have worked tirelessly to advance EDI within RoS. Their dedication and commitment are a testament to our shared belief in the importance of fostering a workplace that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

As we continue our EDI journey, we recognise that there is still much work to be done. We need to challenge ourselves to do more, be more inclusive, and create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this report and our EDI efforts. Your hard work has made a significant impact, and I am confident that together, we will continue to make progress towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Introduction

About Registers of Scotland (RoS)

We manage 21 public registers of land, property and other legal documents.

These registers contain information that supports the people and businesses of Scotland. We support citizens directly and work with others, such as solicitors.

Our Chief Executive is known as The Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. We are part-funded by Scottish Government and accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

About this report

This report outlines our continued efforts to make equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) a key part of our day-to-day in RoS.

We have a duty to publish an equality and diversity mainstreaming report every two years. You can read our previous 2021 report here.

This is our 2023 report. It outlines:

• our progress against the outcomes set out in our 2021 mainstreaming report
• our new outcomes for 2023 to 2025.